Omega-3 fatty acids are
important building blocks of our cell membranes, signaling pathways
and neurological systems. They play a critical role in many functions in the
body and are
essential for good health.
What are omega 3's and what are the best omega 3 sources? The omega 3
essential fattyacids (EFA's) are polyunsaturated fats or the so-called "good fats". These
desirable fats
cannot be made by the human body, so they must be obtained from foods or
supplemental
sources. These fats are required for normal development of the brain, eyes
and nerve tissue in humans. Clinical studies show that omega 3 benefits come
primarily from DHA (docosahexaenoic
acid) and EPA (ecosapentaenoic acid).
Promoting and maintaining a state of wellness requires a dynamic balance of
hormones known
as ecosanoids.* Ecosanoids are powerful cell regulators that help maintain
virtually all body
functions including the brain, the heart and the immune system.* Daily
supplementation with fish
oils rich in the long-chain omega-3 essential fatty acids (EPA and DHA) is
critical for maintaining optimal ecosanoid balance throughout the body.
You might ask why you cannot just eat more fish to get sufficient omega-3
for your health. The answer is, unfortunately, simple: many of the fish we
now find in the oceans, lakes, and streams around the world contain
dangerously high levels of mercury and other toxins. The health risks of
these toxins may well outweigh the potential benefits of the omega-3 we can
get by eating more
fish. What's more, you would have to eat much more fish than is feasibly
possible to help treat some of the many diseases for which high-dose fish oil is being used today.
Medical researchers and practitioners from around the world are using
high-dose fish oil (from 2
grams to 25 grams or more a day) not only for health maintenance, but also
to help treat a variety
of health conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, high blood
pressure, heart disease, arthritis, depression, hot flashes, Crohn's
disease, ulcerative colitis, Alzheimer's, attention deficit disorder (ADD),
MS, Parkinson's disease, dyslexia, and many more.
If you are using more than a gram or two a day of fish oil (higher doses are
needed for working
with the medical problems and issues listed above), however, it is important
from the standpoint
of your health to use only ultra-refined fish oil - fish oil that adheres to
strict quality control
standards to ensure maximum purity and the most potent and effective levels
of EPA and DHA. Otherwise you may be taking in mercury, dioxins, and other
toxins, as well as excessive
saturated fat, that can be harmful to your health. |
